Interior's $14.4M AT&T wireless contract awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,432 ($14.4K)

Contractor: ATT Mobility LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-08-01

End Date: 2027-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GOMR SSB DIVISION AT&T WIRELESS SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: NEW ORLEANS, JEFFERSON County, LOUISIANA, 70123

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $14,431.71 to ATT MOBILITY LLC for work described as: GOMR SSB DIVISION AT&T WIRELESS SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to AT&T Mobility LLC for wireless telecommunications services. 2. Pricing is firm fixed price, indicating cost certainty for the government. 3. The contract duration is approximately three years, aligning with typical service lifecycles. 4. Awarded as a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is the primary user. 6. Services will be provided in Louisiana. 7. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The firm fixed price contract type provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar wireless telecommunications contracts is challenging without more specific service details (e.g., data volume, number of lines, specific plans). However, the total value of $14.4 million over three years suggests a moderate scale for government wireless services. The award to AT&T, a major carrier, implies competitive pricing was likely achieved through the full and open competition process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a reasonable level of competition for these wireless telecommunications services. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving market-based pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically results in better value for taxpayers by driving down prices through multiple bids. The participation of three bidders suggests that the government received competitive offers, likely leading to a more cost-effective outcome.

Public Impact

Provides essential wireless communication services to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Supports BSEE's mission, which includes ensuring offshore oil and gas operations are conducted safely and in an environmentally responsible manner. Services are geographically focused within Louisiana, impacting federal operations in that state. Ensures connectivity for personnel involved in regulatory oversight and enforcement activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specific hardware or network features are tied to AT&T's proprietary systems.
Reliance on a single provider for critical communication infrastructure could pose a risk if service disruptions occur.
The specific details of the service plan and associated costs per user are not publicly detailed, making granular value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost predictability and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
AT&T is a well-established provider of wireless services, suggesting a high likelihood of reliable service delivery.
The contract duration is aligned with typical service needs, allowing for consistent service provision.

Sector Analysis

The wireless telecommunications market is a mature and highly competitive sector dominated by a few major providers. Government contracts for these services are common and typically awarded through competitive processes. This contract fits within the broader category of telecommunications services procured by federal agencies to support their operational needs. Spending benchmarks for government wireless services vary widely based on the number of users, data requirements, and geographic coverage, but this $14.4 million contract over three years represents a significant, though not exceptionally large, investment for a specific agency division.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The procurement was conducted under full and open competition, suggesting that large businesses were the primary participants. This means the direct economic benefit to the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, unless AT&T Mobility LLC engages small businesses as subcontractors for ancillary services not detailed in the award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order, likely issued under an existing IDIQ contract, which may have its own oversight mechanisms. The firm fixed price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by fixing the cost. Transparency is limited by the public availability of detailed service plans and pricing structures. Accountability for service delivery would fall under the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts for Telecommunications
Department of Defense (DoD) Wireless Services Contracts
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulatory Oversight

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption
Reliance on a single vendor for critical communications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $14,431.71 to ATT MOBILITY LLC. GOMR SSB DIVISION AT&T WIRELESS SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATT MOBILITY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14,431.71.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-01. End: 2027-07-31.

What specific wireless services are included in this $14.4 million contract, and how do they align with BSEE's operational needs?

The contract, "GOMR SSB DIVISION AT&T WIRELESS SERVICE," primarily covers wireless telecommunications carrier services. While specific details are not publicly itemized, these services typically include mobile voice and data plans for government-issued devices, potentially encompassing cellular, mobile broadband, and possibly specialized communication solutions. For the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), these services are crucial for field inspectors, emergency response teams, and administrative staff operating in the Gulf of Mexico region and onshore facilities in Louisiana. Reliable wireless communication is essential for real-time data transmission, reporting, coordination during inspections, and responding to incidents related to offshore oil and gas operations.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar enterprise wireless services?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $14.4 million contract to market rates is challenging without granular data on the number of lines, data allowances, specific service plans (e.g., unlimited vs. tiered data), and included features. However, the contract is a firm fixed price award to AT&T Mobility LLC, a major carrier, following full and open competition with three bidders. This suggests that the pricing achieved is likely competitive within the enterprise government wireless market. Government contracts often benefit from volume discounts, but also may include specific service level agreements (SLAs) and reporting requirements that can influence cost. A detailed analysis would require comparing the per-line cost and data usage against enterprise plans offered by AT&T and other carriers to similar-sized organizations.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how is AT&T's performance monitored?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract are not detailed in the publicly available award notice. However, for wireless telecommunications services, typical SLAs often include metrics such as network uptime, call completion rates, data throughput speeds, and response times for technical support. Performance monitoring would generally be the responsibility of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) within the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). The COR would track service quality, ensure adherence to any defined SLAs, and manage the relationship with AT&T Mobility LLC. Failure to meet critical SLAs could result in penalties or remedies outlined in the contract.

What is the historical spending pattern for wireless services by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) or its parent agency?

Historical spending data for wireless services by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) specifically is not readily available in this award notice. However, the Department of the Interior, BSEE's parent agency, procures a wide range of telecommunications services. Agencies of this size typically have ongoing contracts for mobile voice and data services that are renewed or recompeted periodically. The $14.4 million value over three years ($4.8 million annually) suggests a substantial requirement, possibly indicating a significant number of users or extensive data needs. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services within the Department of the Interior would provide a clearer picture of historical spending trends and potential increases or decreases in service scope or cost.

Are there any potential risks associated with relying on AT&T Mobility LLC for these critical wireless services, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks associated with relying on AT&T Mobility LLC include service disruptions due to network outages, cybersecurity threats, or changes in AT&T's service offerings or pricing structure upon contract renewal. Given the firm fixed price nature, there's also a risk that the scope of services might not perfectly align with evolving needs over the three-year period, potentially leading to requests for modifications or separate procurements. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust SLAs with defined remedies, regular performance reviews by the COR, maintaining open communication channels with the vendor, and potentially having contingency plans for critical communications. The full and open competition process also helps mitigate risks by ensuring the government isn't locked into a single provider indefinitely.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers › Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite)

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tyto Athene, LLC

Address: 1025 LENOX PARK BLVD NE, ATLANTA, GA, 30319

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,432

Exercised Options: $14,432

Current Obligation: $14,432

Actual Outlays: $6,074

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00MV

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline